When is a water tank not a water tank? When it’s actually a water cistern, what’s the difference then? A water cistern is a much rarer term than a water tank. A water tank is commonly used to describe a static water container that can hold potable or non-potable water.
Water tanks can be located above or below ground and are particularly useful for collecting rainwater. Rainwater harvesting is a term used to describe the capture, storage, and use of rainwater. In an age where we are trying to conserve water, rainwater harvesting is a good eco-friendly alternative, especially for uses like watering gardens or washing cars.
The term water gazebo, on the other hand, is used to describe a mobile water supply. These are particularly useful for deployment of potable water in emergency situations, for example when there is a failure in the main fresh water supply.
Interestingly, the etymology of bowser is that it originated in 1921 as a trade name for SF Bowser Inc., the company of Sylvanus Bowser, the American inventor of the first fuel pump. It is a popular term in Australia and New Zealand where it refers to a “fuel oil pump”.
Water cisterns are especially useful in situations where running water is not available, for example when water needs to be moved around a farm or golf course or even for a festival.
They are typically made of strong plastic with a low center of gravity to ensure stability. There are a surprising number of additional design considerations, such as streamlined design and easy access for cleaning. Bowsers that need to be transported by road must be road legal and have a suitable chassis. Other considerations include the capacity of the reservoir and whether or not a pump is required.
So when you consider buying water storage, you need to question your requirements. Do you need your water supply to be mobile? In which case you need to investigate water cisterns. Alternatively, are you looking to collect rainwater? If so, you will need a non-potable water tank. On the other hand, if you are looking to store water for human consumption, you need to look for a drinking water tank.
A final question is ‘How big is the tank or cistern? Remember to consider not only the amount of water you need, but also the storage space you have available.
